COCO'S

13

Cloe Marín

Today is Bianca's show, today is Moulin Rouge day.

It's been two days since I last saw Harry, and you'll ask how is it so difficult to see him when we literally live in the same building. Well, first, I have been working a bunch these days, and Nana has been taking care of Lulu and Kali, but, as I clearly cannot be without them for too long, I have been sleeping at her apartment.

So, I haven't passed more than a few times in front of his door, and, obviously, I haven't knocked once.

That is making Nana mad at me all the time because she claims that: "You're too old to be playing kid's games". And that I should just call him up and have a proper date, which isn't going to fucking happen. She's desperate to pair me with someone.

Finally, it is Friday morning, well, almost lunch hour. And tonight is the play, so I'm kinda preparing myself. I spin around, dancing all over my house at the tune of the soundtrack of the movie that I love so much.

"Roxanne! You don't have to put on the red light, walk the streets for money! You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right! Roxanne!" I sing along all the words.

"You don't have to wear that dress tonight-" I'm cut off by the sound of my phone ringing on top of the marble kitchen counter of my house. "Ugh!"

I notice Bia's photo popping up on my phone and I press the green button, only to hear her screaming at me, "Bella! I haven't seen you in ages! How are you?"

"I'm good, how are you? Nervous?" I say excitedly.

"A bit." Bianca laughs, "Hey, I was just wondering if you wanted to invite Harry? Like for the play. Shannon and you are seated together and I still have another ticket."

"Um... No sé yo."

"C'mon, Coco! Invite him, please. Go downstairs and tell him. Go, go, go." She pushes and I sigh, knowing I'll do it one way or another.

"Alright, fine." I give up, huffing a long breath.

I can hear her squealing in response, "Great! Okay, see you babe, ti amo, b'bye!" She rambles fast and I don't have the opportunity to say goodbye back before the line gets cut off.

I hate not saying goodbye.

With another big huff from my chest, I'm turning the boiled water off so I can go downstairs. I was going to make pasta with tomato sauce, pretty simple yet good, but I guess I have to leave it for later.

Yes, I can eat now and go when I finish but I know for a fact that, that amount of time alone isn't going to be good for my overthinking and I'll end up not asking him.

So, I look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing very normal clothes, some mom light blue jeans and a white top with a small front tie, and my pair of white Vans. Like usual, I'm not wearing makeup, today the excuse is that I woke up earlier and didn't find it in me to do it.

I put my hair back with a claw clip and take some front strands to frame my face. I grin at the mirror with the fakest smile ever and end up actually laughing for it. I practise my smile some more times before I stop the overthinking and open my door.

Luca used to tell me that practising your smile is something between awkward and manipulative, I just think it's because social interactions make me nervous and I have to feel some control.

Right when I open the front door, a scream vibrates from my chest as I wasn't expecting Harry to be standing there. "Why do you always do this?! You're a creep."

"I was about to knock, I swear." He laughs.

Eventually, I laugh too, "Can I ask why are you here?"

Please say to see me.